Dance photoshoot

Primoz · Jul 27, 2011

Hi!

I need some help. A friend of mine, who is a dancer, asked me if I could take some photos for he "dancing portfolio" that she needs for an audition.
She knows I am no professional photographer, but I know quite a lot about photography and speedlights etc.

Equipment I have:

Nikon D90
Sigma 17-50 2.8
Nikkor 18-105
SB-600 Speedlight

What I thought I'd do, is at first get some white cardboards or maybe even a white umbrella as improvised reflectors and go to nice location in nature in late afternoon and first take some stationary photos. Then she also wants me to capture some motion (freezed jumps and other stuff dancers do) and for that I would probably need to go strobist, right? What do you think - is my SB-600 powerful enough for this job? Shall I face it just straight forward at the model or bounce it?

I know that's not really an equipment to make wow strobist shots, but I guess I might be able to come up with some nice shots by experimenting with one light. I also considered borrowing a SB-900 for 1 day for 20 bucks, but if it's not necessary I'd rather do it with no expences.

Thanks for your kindness and help because this is the first time I am doing such a thing and I don't want to come up with embarrassing images at the end. I'd also be gratefull for any other suggestions that I haven't foreseen.

gsgary · Jul 27, 2011

If your mixing ambient and flash you will struggle to freeze the action, I would look round for a studio you can rent with good lights preferably Elincrom because they have a very short flash

tirediron · Jul 27, 2011

You've got all the equipment you need to make great shots; Dean Collins virtually built a career around the single light shoot. Find a good location with a suitable background, make sure you determine your camera to subject to background distances and necessary DoF and select your aperture accordingly. Take a few test shots and look at them VERY carefully; check for blown highlights, deep shadow, racoon eyes, etc. Adjust your light and repeat. Have your rear LCD set so that it will display the 'blinkies' letting you know about blown highlights right away.

If you can select the right day (ideally a bright, overcast day) you will only need your speedlight to supply some minor fill-lighting.

Good luck!

Primoz · Jul 27, 2011

Ok, thanks for the tips. I guess I'll give it a go with what I have. I even found a white umbrella to shoot my flash through.

I'll let you know how it works.
Has anyone ever tried to use a regular umbrella as a diffuser?

LOL

tirediron · Jul 27, 2011

Primoz said:
...Has anyone ever tried to use a regular umbrella as a diffuser? LOL

No... but I used to have an entire collection of modifiers made by Javex!

Primoz · Jul 29, 2011

Today I tried the lighting setup I am going to use for the dance shoot and I am impressed!

Here's what I did:
1. I got myself a white RAIN umbrella and I improvised to attach it to my tripod together with my SB600 to shot through
2. I went to the store and bought three white styrofoam boards (1.5m x 1m big and 2cm thick) to use them as reflectors
3. used a regular black cloth for background (nothing fancy)
4. experimented with lighting (basically SB600 through umbrella and the white styrofoam boards as fill lights)

I got results with professional looking lighting in my own living room in no-time! (beautiful portraits with nice catchlights in the eyes)
The white umbrella was luckily in the closet therefore free, styrofoam boards were about 8$. Considering the costs it is legen-wait for it-...dary!

I highly recommend these same methods to anyone starting in studio flash photography on a budget. For almost no money additionally spent on photo equipment I am able to step into the world of studio photography.
The results you get for about 10$ and with one single (not even that powerful) speedlight are amazing.

Can't wait for tommorow when I'm shooting the real thing

D-B-J · Jul 29, 2011

Zenfolio | David Hobby | Recent Work: People

Recreate that. Well, that's my goal when i find a dancing model

EmilRye · Jul 29, 2011

Looking forward to seeing the photos

CCericola · Jul 29, 2011

Primoz said:
Today I tried the lighting setup I am going to use for the dance shoot and I am impressed!

Here's what I did:
1. I got myself a white RAIN umbrella and I improvised to attach it to my tripod together with my SB600 to shot through
2. I went to the store and bought three white styrofoam boards (1.5m x 1m big and 2cm thick) to use them as reflectors
3. used a regular black cloth for background (nothing fancy)
4. experimented with lighting (basically SB600 through umbrella and the white styrofoam boards as fill lights)

I got results with professional looking lighting in my own living room in no-time! (beautiful portraits with nice catchlights in the eyes)
The white umbrella was luckily in the closet therefore free, styrofoam boards were about 8$. Considering the costs it is legen-wait for it-...dary!

I highly recommend these same methods to anyone starting in studio flash photography on a budget. For almost no money additionally spent on photo equipment I am able to step into the world of studio photography.
The results you get for about 10$ and with one single (not even that powerful) speedlight are amazing.

Can't wait for tommorow when I'm shooting the real thing

Pix or never happened

Primoz · Jul 30, 2011

Ok here are two sample images of my sister for you to judge...

1) http://www.flickr.com/photos/primozkovacicimaging/5990841085/in/set-72157627192180101/lightbox/

Then I added the black background:

2) 20110729_223524 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Primoz · Jul 31, 2011

Hm... no comments? :/
Anyway today I did the shooting. It was a lot of fun and it went quite well IMO. I'll post some images but first I have to "cook" the NEF's

Vtec44 · Jul 31, 2011

Primoz said:
Hm... no comments? :/
Anyway today I did the shooting. It was a lot of fun and it went quite well IMO. I'll post some images but first I have to "cook" the NEF's

if it means anything, your sister is very pretty.